Problems for Fine Gael continue to mount as an Irish Times MRBIopinion poll shows the popularity of the party and its leader Mr Michael Noonan continues to slip.
The problems are intensified by an increase in support for Fianna Fáil, Labour and the Progressive Democrats.
The MRBI poll to be published in tomorrow's Irish Timescompares the state of the parties and the popularity of the leaders with the findings of a similar poll five weeks ago.
The new figures show Fine Gael have fallen one per cent to 20 per cent while Fianna Fáil and Labour are both up one point to 42 and 12 per cent respectively. The Progressive Democrats and their party leader Ms Mary Harney have also gained ground.
Satisfaction with Ms Harney’s leadership is up to 56 per cent while the party’s popularity rating now stands at four per cent. The Taosieach Mr Ahern’s popularity has fallen one point to 67 per cent while Labour’s Mr Ruairi Quinn is unchanged at 41 per cent.
Sinn Féin president Mr Gerry Adams’ satisfaction rating has fallen eight points to 48 per cent but he has had a low public profile in recent weeks. The Green Party’s Mr Trevor Sargent has gained one point at 39 per cent with their parties standing unchanged at eight and five per cent respectively.
The popularity of the smaller parties and independents has fallen two points to nine per cent.
While Labour will be pleased they have arrested the decline that has seen them consistently losing support for over a year, they will be concerned that the poll shows they may not be needed when, as the figures suggest, Fianna Fáil looks for a coalition partner after the general election.
The poll shows the coalition parties have gained an aggregate three points - a sign of an increased likelihood of the current coalition being returned after the next general election. They will however, note the vote for independents has fallen.
With a general election two months - or less - away, Fine Gael will be alarmed at the opinion poll.
In January 2001, an Irish Times/MRBIpoll showed the party stood at the same level they now stand at. The low showing and the poor satisfaction rating for then leader Mr John Bruton led to him being replaced by Mr Noonan. In May last year the Fine Gael leader registered a satisfaction rating of 37 per cent, the same low figure achieved by Mr John Bruton at the time of his dismissal.
Mr Noonan's rating now stands at just 29 per cent, the lowest for a Fine Gael leader in eight years.
FF .........
42% up 1%
FG .........20% down 1%
Lab .......12% up 1%
Others ..9% down 2%
SF ..........8% no change
Greens ..5% no change
PDs ........4% up 1%
Poll conducted this week from a national quota sample of 1000 electors in 100 sampling points throughout all constituencies in the State on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th of February.
Figures adjusted to include 17 per cent of don’t knows and a traditional over-estimation of Fianna Fail support.
- All comparisons with poll in January 2002